Pope Leo XIV elected: US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost takes over as head of the Catholic Church

Robert Francis Prevost of the United States is the new pope. The cardinals elected the 69-year-old as the successor to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after a serious illness.

Prevost has taken the papal name Leo XIV as the new head of the church. Tens of thousands of people greeted the new pope with applause and cheers in St. Peter's Square when he appeared from the basilica's balcony shortly after his election. "Peace be with you all," he called out to the crowd. "God loves you all." He added: "Evil will not prevail."

With his first words, he sent a message of peace to the entire world. The new pope also remembered his predecessor, who died on Easter Monday. "Thank you, Pope Francis!" he said. Leo XIV also bestowed the papal blessing "Urbi et Orbi" for the first time. He waved and smiled during his entrance.

The new Pope gave the papal blessing "Urbi et Orbi" for the first time that evening.

Source: IMAGO/Avalon.red

Leo repeatedly emphasized that the Church is called to build bridges and seek dialogue. In his address, which was at times improvised, he continued: "We want to walk together, seeking peace and justice without fear. We want to walk together as missionaries."

Towards the end of his speech, he switched from Italian to Spanish and greeted his former diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, which he had led from 2014 to 2023. He had also served as a missionary and as Prior General of the Augustinian Order.

The 69-year-old most recently served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops—the Vatican's human resources department—as a cardinal in the Curia. He is considered a good mediator between the conservative camp and the pro-reform camp in the Catholic Church.

Unlike his predecessor Francis, Leo wore the traditional red stole with the four evangelists as he stepped onto the blessing gloggia.

On Wednesday afternoon, the 133 cardinals withdrew to the Vatican's Sistine Chapel for the conclave. New popes are traditionally elected by secret ballot, isolated from the public.

At 6:07 p.m. on Thursday evening, white smoke rose from the chapel's chimney - a sign that the Catholic Church has a new leader.

The crowd in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers at the sight of the smoke, priests made the sign of the cross, and nuns wept as the crowd shouted "Viva il papa!"

Prevost's predecessor, Pope Francis, was a native of Argentina. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as he was known by his real name, had led the Catholic Church for twelve years.

The new pope is relatively young, which means he could have a long term in office. Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955.